Frequently Asked Questions

Someone I know was picked up last night or over the weekend. When will he/she have an appearance?

Appearances on new charges are held at different times throughout the day/week. Please contact either the District Attorney's Office at 715-346-1300 or the Clerk of Courts Office anytime after 10:30 a.m.

These appearances are normally held during the late morning hours or in the early afternoon. If a call is made too early, the information will not be available. The defendant may or may not appear in person in the courtroom for the appearance. Many times they will appear by video appearance at the jail.

Where can I get information on getting a restraining order?

There are Domestic Abuse and Harassment informational forms that can be obtained at the Clerk of Court office or online. Click this link for more information: Temporary Restraining Order Information

Where can I get information for applying for a passport?

Check out the Clerk of Court webpage for U.S Passport information and links on how to get your passport. The passport book link will take you there.

Could all of the law enforcement in the county be consolidated into one county-wide police department?

No. While municipalities are free to provide their own police department, or contract for police services from another municipality or the county, the Sheriff is a constitutionally mandated office. However, all of the law enforcement services across the county could be consolidated under the sheriff's office. Portage County only has two municipalities that provide their own police services, the City of Stevens Point and the Village of Plover. The remaining 96+% of the County is already under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Sheriff's office.

How do I pay my parking ticket?

Parking Tickets can be paid by using the ticket/envelope to mail your check/money order payment into the Sheriff’s Office at 1500 Strongs Avenue, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481-3542. Otherwise, you can come directly to the Sheriff’s Office to pay in cash or check during business hours. You can find out more information at: http://www.co.portage.wi.us/department/sheriff-s-office/parking-tickets.

What is the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Office?

The Sheriff's Office exercises jurisdiction throughout the County, including within municipal boundaries and in places that have their own police departments. The Sheriff and his deputies also exercise their authority state-wide under certain circumstances, even when outside of their home county.

Do county ordinances apply within my municipality?

Yes, with only a very few exceptions. All county ordinances are enforceable county-wide, except where the statute provides for local ordinances to preclude county ordinance enforcement (e.g. fireworks, solicitors permits). Otherwise, even if a city, village, or town has their own ordinances, the county ordinances still apply.

Does the Sheriff's Office enforce municipal ordinances?

No. The Sheriff's Office enforces county ordinances and state law. That is unless the municipality has contracted with the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement.

Where can I find a current listing of all your warrants?

What if I see a dead deer on the highway?

To report a dead deer, please call the Highway Department Parts Room at (715) 345-5233. Portage County does not pick up dead deer. We notify Wisconsin DNR, who contracts with private contractors to remove dead deer from state and county highways. Carcasses painted with a bright orange "X" have already been called in for removal.

How do I contact the Sheriff’s Office?

You may call us at (715) 346-1400, 24 hours a day. You may also stop in and see us at 1500 Strongs Avenue, Stevens Point, 24 hours a day to report a crime, and during business hours for other requests for service. You may also email us at sheriff@co.portage.wi.us.

How do I pay my fine or citation?

Someone I know was arrested last night or over the weekend. When will he/she have an appearance?

Appearances on new charges are held at different times throughout the day/week. Please contact either the District Attorney's Office or the Clerk of Courts Office anytime after 10:30 a.m. These appearances are normally held during the late morning hours or in the early afternoon. If a call is made too early, the information will not be available. The defendant may or may not appear in person in the courtroom for the appearance. Many times they will appear by video appearance at the Jail.

What are the regular office hours for the Sheriff’s Office?

The administrative offices and Records Division front counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Patrol, Jail, and Communications Center are open 24/7. They can be contacted by telephone, or by using the appropriate intercom in the lobby of the Law Enforcement Center.

What makes the Sheriff’s Office different from our police department?

The obvious answers are that we are a county-wide law enforcement agency with jurisdiction throughout, even in places that have their own police departments. The Sheriff is a constitutionally established position with ultimate authority over the operations of this Office, answerable only to you the voters. We operate the County’s Jail, and in Portage County we operate the Juvenile Detention Facility and county-wide Communications Center. We also have additional duties tied to the office, such as the service of civil and criminal process and the protection of the courts. Otherwise, we are essentially the same in our function and mission.

Some call it the “Sheriff’s Department,” others call it the “Sheriff’s Office.” Which is correct?

The Sheriff is elected to the Office of the Sheriff, therefore we are the “Sheriff’s Office.” Agencies run by elected officials are offices, such as the District Attorney’s Office, Clerk of Courts Office, and County Executive’s Office. Departments, on the other hand, are run by appointed department heads, answerable to the County Executive and County Board rather than directly to the electorate, and are constructs of the County, such as the Finance Department, Highway Department, and Emergency Management Department. The use of the term Sheriff’s Department is incorrect.

What’s the difference between the Sheriff and a Deputy Sheriff?

The Sheriff is a constitutionally established elected position. This person is the head of the Sheriff’s Office and senior law enforcement officer in the County. There is only one Sheriff. Those sworn law enforcement officers that work for the Sheriff, regardless of their rank, are the Sheriff’s deputies; thus the term Deputy Sheriff.

Does the Sheriff’s Office have a ride-along program?

Yes and No. The Sheriff’s Office does not accept walk-in requests to ride along due to staffing restrictions. We do allow individual deputies to request particular persons to ride with them for a specific shift, but these need to be initiated by that officer. We do allow certain public officials, program participants, and interns to ride-along under limited circumstances.

Can I intern at the Sheriff’s Office?

Perhaps. We have partnered with several institutions of higher learning to provide intern opportunities for their students. For more information, send us an email at sheriff@co.portage.wi.us.

How do I apply for a position at the Sheriff’s Office?

If you are interested in a position as a deputy sheriff, you need to register with and test through Empco. We have partnered with the Badger State Sheriff’s Association for creating a state-wide multi-agency testing and candidate pool, which allow you to apply for as many or as few sheriff’s offices in Wisconsin as you wish. More information can be found at: https://www.empco.net/wis/, or by clicking on the Employment tab on our Facebook page.